Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-11-17
frec gress.
". W. u. GALLARER, Editor.
ChGrlesto,rn, Jefferson County, West
Norenbert rt17rfSS7.
JOHN BRoWy--FELoy Or STINT.

N
JOHN BROWN--FELON Or STINT.
Er. Congressman Eli Thqyer b hc Boston Herald.
In the August number Of the Century
magazine Messrs. Nieolay and Hay have
made several errors of omission and com
mission which should be corrected in the
interest of true history. These writers say
on page 517: "In association, habit, Ian
guage and conduct he was clean but
course; honest but rude" Two circpm-
stances, however, indicate that he was
practicing deception upon the committees
and the public. He entered into a con-
tract with a blacksmith in Collinsyille,
Conn, to manufacture for him LEGO
pixies Of a certain pattern, 10 be compile
ted in ninety days, and paid 5000 on the
contract. There is no record that he
mentioned this matter to any committee.
His proposed Kansas minute men were
only one hundred in number, and the
pixies could not be for them. His expla-
nation to the blacksmith that they would
be good weapon of defense to Kansas
settlers was clearly subterfuge. These
pixies ordered about March %, 1857,
were without doubt intended for his Vir-
ginia invasion, and, in fact, the IDENTICAL
OF, finished after long delay, under the
same contract, were shipped to him in
September, 1859, and were actually used
in his Harper's Ferry attempt. The 9th
er circumstance is that about the time Of
his coniract for the pixies, be also, without
the knowledge of committees or friends,
engaged q worthless 2dyenturer named
Forbes 10 go west and give military in
srucuons to his company, measure nei-
ther useful nor practicable for Kansas
defense. These two acts may be taken
as the first preparation for Harper's Fer.
ry. These are constructive lies. But
John Brown made use of many others in
his preparation for the Virginia raid,
which were in no way doubtful or equiv
ocal,
I. He came to me in Worcester to so
Tcit contribution of arms for the defense
of some Kansas settlements, which he
said he knew were soon to be attacked
by parties already organized in Missouri
for that purpose. Not doubling his word
| gave him all the arms [ had, in value
about $500.
,. Under the same false pretence he
secured another contribution from Ethan
Allen & Co., manufacturers Of arms il
this city. These arms, also, were never
taken to Kansas, but were captured a
Harper's Ferry.
3. Before his attack upon the United
States arsenal he. spent several weeks il
Virginia. He pretended to be miner
alogist, and went about with hammer
breaking Oft the corners Of rocks. Tn
der the pretext Of seeking for copper h
found opportunities for trying to enlis
slaves in his little rebellion. The repre-
sentative in Congress from Harper's Fer
~ district gave ne these facts.
+. Under the same false prelence 0
aiding the settlers in Kansas he procure,
funds from several New York merchant
one Of whom SAYS that he gave him s50
.. In 1888 he made a raid into Mis-
souri,, murdered Mr.. Crews, peaceabl
old farmer, and took away eleven Of hi
slaves with about $4,000 worth Of oxen
mules. wagons, harness, saddles and othe
property. As soon as lie had gotten out
side of the State he sent agents in all di
rections TO solicit and get the eleven ne
groes to Canada. He was from Decem
Der to April getting them through. Thi
slow movement was doubtless for the pun
pose Of prolonging as much as possibl
the time for his agents to procure fund:
His plunder and his collections went
probably, to increase his Harper Ferr
e fund.
Q. He often asserted that in the aboy
raid he liberated several slaves withou
bloodshed and without the use Of wea
pons. It's proved that Mr. Crews wa
killed in that raid
! Z. He repeatedly said that he was Nc
present at the Pottawatomie midnlgh